Contact Your Legislator

Help us send a clear message to Harrisburg: Pennsylvanians support fair districting policies, and we’re willing to fight for them.

Contacting your state legislators is one of the most effective ways to help our cause. We recommend phone calls, in-person visits, or printed letters—email doesn’t have as great an impact. Other things to keep in mind:

Prepare to give your name and where you live. Lawmakers only want to talk to their constituents.

Remember, this is a bipartisan effort. Regardless of your affiliation, contact members of both parties.

Be specific. Ask your legislator to support an independent citizens redistricting commission.

Tell a local story. Is your city or township fractured across districts? Is your district stretched so wide lawmakers and constituents can’t easily meet each other? Make your case specific to your legislator’s community.

Ready to get started? Follow these steps for a phone call or in-person meeting.

1. Find your state legislators

To find your legislators, go to the PA General Assembly locator tool, then use the drop-down list in our Advocacy Record Keeping tool. The tool shows contact info, if they supported past reform efforts OR have signed on to new ones.

If your representatives have co-sponsored, contact them to say thank you, as a reminder that this matters to you—a lot. If they haven’t, ask them to.

For senators, ask them to do all they can to ensure that a strong, independent commission is in place in time for the 2021 redistricting.

2. Want more details?

To help you plan your call or visit, we can tell you more about your legislator’s positions and offer advice on how to approach them. We’re always gathering updates from citizens like you who’ve already spoken with their representatives.

3. Prepare your talking points

In-person visits make the biggest impression. These talking points will help you have a productive, accurate conversation.

In the House:We’re asking representatives to co-sponsor House Bills 22 and 23. Be sure to focus on the need to fix legislative redistricting as well as congressional.

In the Senate:Ask senators to do all they can to ensure that a strong, independent commission is in place in time for the 2021 redistricting.

We do not support Senate Bill 22 as is but are asking senators to do what they can to amend the bill to ensure a truly independent commission and process. In contacting your state senator, stress the need for the Two Bill, One Commission strategy and a truly independent process.

Here are some talking points:

This belief is strong across voters of all parties and all parts of the state. (Want more detail? Check our survey update.)

The current process allows party leaders too much influence over other legislators.

The five-member commission in charge of legislative redistricting is controlled by party leaders who can and do punish rank-and-file members who vote against the party line.

Our districts make it difficult for legislators to represent constituents.

Legislators struggle to keep track of which people are their constituents—and residents aren’t sure, either. Plus, when districts are stretched out and oddly shaped, it takes excessive driving time to get between district offices.

National PACs and super PACS are targeting PA.

We’re a big swing state with a large legislature and lax campaign finance laws. Both Republican and Democratic PACs are working hard to flip PA districts. So much outside money creates an even more negative tone and discourages good people from both sides from seeking public office.

The current process can result in the deciding commission member being chosen by the state Supreme Court.

When the four commissioners can’t decide on a fifth member, the Supreme Court picks for them. That court is dominated by Democrats—which means the next state district maps will favor Democrats unless Republicans help change the process. .

Voters are more engaged than ever, and they demand change.

Redistricting reform has become a rallying cry among a range of groups, and voters are taking notice. Leaders who show their commitment to fairness and are willing to fix our system will win many fans—while those who don’t will lose the confidence of their voters. The 2019 Franklin & Marshall survey suggests 3 out of 5 PA voters are more likely to vote for a legislator who supports an independent commission.

4. Tell us how it went

Did your legislator express concerns about supporting our cause, push back against the facts you shared or are they supportive? Tell us about your visit—we’ll use your report to help others who want to contact their legislator.